Director of Program Development Research

Job Description We have an exciting opportunity for a Director of Program Development for Sponsored Research at UL Research Institutes, although we prefer a candidate based in our Evanston, Illinois, office, the position is also open to remote candidates. The Director of Program Development provides strategic leadership for the development, growth, and advancement of ULRI’s sponsored research portfolio. The Director identifies, shapes, and advances high-impact medium- and large-scale funding opportunities that align with ULRI's strategic priorities and expands opportunities for scientific innovation, partnerships, and external funding across federal and philanthropic funding.

The Director develops strategies and processes for complex, cross-disciplinary projects to identify and secure strategic funding opportunities between ULRI and academic partners with the promise for broad, societal impact. The examples of federal opportunities range from mid-level proposals like R01s to large center grants, such as NSF Engineering Research Centers, X-Labs, MRSEC, DOE Energy Frontier Research Centers and the Genesis Mission, DOD center-scale competitions, and federal appropriations requests.

Securing funding from philanthropic organizations is another direction of program development, including foundations such as Schmidt Sciences, Moore Foundation, Alfred P Sloan Foundation, and other science-focused philanthropies, including international organizations. Working closely with Chief Program Development Officer, Institute leaders, researchers, and external stakeholders, the Director develops and implements a comprehensive proposal development process that strengthens ULRI's ability to secure and execute complex, multidisciplinary awards across UL Research Institutes.

The Director serves as a catalyst for organizational growth by aligning emerging opportunities with institutional capabilities and creating scalable processes that improve proposal development effectiveness across the enterprise. UL Research Institutes:
The UL Research Institutes span diverse fields addressing complex societal challenges, from chemical pollution, wildfire threats, and energy storage challenges to novel material design and AI safety. After a 134-year history as a non-profit safety science organization, ULRI is undergoing dynamic expansion to increase the positive impact on the word through science. As an independent research organization, ULRI is uniquely positioned to partner both with universities, National Laboratories, and industry partners to bring discoveries to the market with a mission of open science and public benefit.

You will be joining us at a pivotal moment of scaling that impact.

As the Director of Program Development, you will play a key role in the rapid growth of UL as you:
Direct the development and execution of ULRI's proposal development strategy, aligning federal and philanthropic funding opportunities with organizational priorities, research goals, and mission impact. Provide strategic direction for the identification, evaluation, and development of strategic funding opportunities across ULRI. Develop and maintain a pipeline of high-impact opportunities involving federal agencies, foundations, industry, academic institutions, and nonprofit partners. Oversee the development of complex, multidisciplinary proposals that expand ULRI's research, education, workforce development, and public impact portfolios.

Develop frameworks, tools, and best practices that strengthen program development, proposal competitiveness, and organizational readiness, including a library of non-technical proposal components, such as data management plans, broader impacts and workforce development plans, technology transfer plans and project management plans. Edit technical and non-technical research proposal content, ensuring compliance with all RFP requirements in coordination with Institutes, Finance, IT/Research Security, and Grants & Contracts teams.

Drive the adoption of efficient program development processes, including the use of data-driven and AI-enabled approaches to improve effectiveness and scalability. Lead a team of experienced program development professionals, setting strategic direction, ensuring accountability, and putting the necessary resources in place to execute the strategy.

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